Lorna Hajdini, a senior JPMorgan Chase manager, accused former banker Chirayu Rana of concocting false claims that she forced him into a sexual relationship, according to a new countersuit filed Monday in Manhattan federal court. The suit claims Rana sought millions of dollars from her and the bank by portraying her as a racist sexual predator, an allegation that Hajdini says ruined her mental health and ended personal relationships.
Rana first publicly alleged abuse in an April lawsuit, stating the alleged advances started in spring 2024 and escalated over months. He accused Hajdini of threatening to sabotage his promotion if he didn’t comply with her demands, and of racially insulting his wife. He also claimed she forced sexual acts at his apartment, an assertion she denies vehemently.
In July, Hajdini responded with her own counterclaims, accusing Rana of filing similar harassment complaints at a previous employer and of attempting to intimidate her for exposing misconduct at JPMorgan. Rana’s attorney, Jon Norinsberg, called the countersuit “baseless” and a retaliatory tactic aimed at silencing Rana.
The dispute has unfolded in a high‑stakes banking environment where reputational damage can cost millions. JPMorgan has not publicly commented, but industry insiders say the case could influence internal investigations of employee conduct.
The court will likely set a discovery deadline in the coming weeks, with both parties expected to submit evidence and witnesses by May 2025. The next scheduled hearing is slated for late June, where the judge will decide on preliminary motions and potential settlement negotiations.
For the 38-year‑old Hajdini, the battle is personal as well as professional; she has spoken of having to withdraw from friendships and feeling constantly anxious. Rana, meanwhile, maintains that he is simply the victim of a smear campaign, asserting that his own accusations of harassment were legitimate.
The outcome of this litigation could set a precedent for how large financial institutions handle internal defamation claims, and whether employees can be protected from retaliation when they expose wrongdoing.